Posted from time to time by the Chair of the Pierce County Republican Party to muse on the County Party, County issues or state issues that impact Washington's second largest county.

Thursday, May 03, 2007

Too Far…

Last weekend the Washington State Democrat Party went too far. In their effort to draw a distinction between Republican and Democrat policy ideals, the Democrats decided to promote a traitor as a “policy ideal”. This is beyond just their normal Bush bashing or race baiting, what they did was anti-American.

What happened?

By an overwhelming vote, the Washington State Democrat Central Committee voted to support Lieutenant (for now) Ehren Watada’s refusal to go to Iraq to fight the war on terror. Certainly we civilians can argue about whether fighting terrorists in Iraq and building an infrastructure to help Iraqis form a more just and a more open society – one not inclined to treat women as third class chattel or murder and maim men and innocent villagers with abandon – is a good thing or a bad thing. We civilians can argue whether the “methodology” or “location” or “how much” (in both treasure and blood) is worth the effort. Those are political and policy questions to be discussed and decided by political parties, Congress, citizens, news media, talk show hosts and presidents. These are NOT policy questions to be decided by an active duty military officer who is scared, inconvenienced, doesn’t want to get his parade uniforms dirty or whose family doesn’t like the commander-in-chief’s politics.

Like it or not ours is a volunteer military and Watada is a willing participant who volunteered in time of a congressionally authorized and appropriated conflict (HJR 114 in 2002) – hence fully legal. Watada was ordered to participate in that fully legal conflict but refused to go. He is therefore guilty of “missing a movement” a court martial (felony) offense with a maximum penalty of two years in prison, a dishonorable discharge and forfeiture of all pay and allowances.

But wait there’s more…

Watada “refused to go” in order to make a political statement designed to embarrass the President thereby weakening US resolve. That means his actions gave aid and comfort to the enemy in time of conflict – a classic definition of “aiding the enemy” or treason. And “aiding the enemy” my friends, is the highest court martial offense. The penalty: “…shall suffer death or other such punishment as a court-martial or military commission may direct.” (UCMJ Article 104)

It is sad that the Democrat Party fell victim to supporting a traitor like Watada. It is sad that a once noble party has succumbed to and is now lead by its virulent and hate-filled radical left wing.

It’s no secret that our political success as a nation results from having two “big tent” parties that historically govern from slightly to the left or slightly to the right of center depending on the party in power. The main stream media and the campaign staffs don’t always like to highlight these historically narrow differences, because it doesn’t make good headlines. But if you look closely at state and county government the vast majority of laws are enacted by overwhelming majorities of both Republican and Democrat legislators. The contentious bills we all hear about (and argue over) are often only 5-10% of the total bills that are seriously considered.

In the final analysis, the once noble Democrat Party chose a corrosive path to convince voters that they are should be governing Washington. If we are not vigilant, we will see more and more Democrat candidates who will govern from far into the radical left field.

We Republicans must also be vigilant by offering Republican candidates who are measured, thoughtful and don’t spend money like drunken sailors (apologies to sailors – you are doing a great job under extreme circumstances.) We Republicans must support - both materially and morally – the 99.99999% of military members who are answering America’s call with distinct honor. We must never support traitors who would see American’s enemies comforted just to make a domestic political point.

It should not matter what party you come from but Lt Watada took an oath to protect and defend the Constitution. His duty is not to the President, Country, Freedom or pick your pet word. Lt. Watada also has a responsibility to disobey illegal orders. Congress did not declare war on Iraq. "I was just following orders" didn't excuse the Nazis at Nuremburg.